When I Grow Up …

Professional photographer Jaime Moore, feeling the influence of mainstream girls’ adulation of Disney princesses, decided that when her daughter turned five, she wanted to celebrate her birthday a bit differently …

And I love it!

Here’s her daughter, Emma, all gussied up (or down!) as real, strong female heroines throughout history, in his photo series titled “Not Just a Girl.”

Susan B. Anthony

not-just-a-girl-jaime-moore-15

” … forget conventionalisms; Forget what the world thinks of you stepping out of your place; Think your best thoughts, speak your best words, work your best works, looking to your own conscience for approval. I had rather … make history than write it. Failure is impossible.” – Susan B. Anthony

Amelia Earhart

not-just-a-girl-jaime-moore-1

” … now and then, women should do for themselves what men have already done—occasionally what men have not done—thereby establishing themselves as persons, and perhaps encouraging other women toward greater independence of thought and action. Some such consideration was a contributing reason for my wanting to do what I so much wanted to do.  – Amelia Earhart

Coco Chanel

not-just-a-girl-jaime-moore-2

” … in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different. Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself. A girl should be two things: Who and what she wants … ” – Coco Chanel

Helen Keller

not-just-a-girl-jaime-moore-3

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost. What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me.” – Helen Keller

Jane Goodall

not-just-a-girl-jaime-moore-4

“My family has very strong women. My mother never laughed at my dream of Africa, even though everyone else did because we didn’t have any money, because Africa was the ‘Dark Continent,’ and because I was a girl. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

Emma for President, 2044!

not-just-a-girl-jaime-moore-6

  1. Laurie Dimno says:

    Simply awesome! Thank you!

  2. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Way to go Jamie Moore! What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday with his daughter by showing her about other strong and amazing women and allowing her to take on a bit of history learning with dress-up. We often get swept up in the glam of Disney when there are so many other beautiful ways to celebrate. I once attended a weekend with Jane Goodall at my younger daughter’s college and she was so beautiful and strong as she shared her adventures and insights with all of us. Her work with gorillas has changed the science of what we know and understand about these giants of the forest. Jane is small and slight in stature and when she speaks about her life’s work, it is simply inspiring!

  3. Cinda Hammons says:

    I absolutely LOVE this idea! And what a beautiful, strong woman this little girl will become!

  4. Michelle Kirby says:

    I’ve seen this before & I love it. Glad to see it again.

  5. Karlyne says:

    Disney princesses are ok – when you’re watching a Disney movie! But I agree that they should not be obsessive role models, and I love these pictures! We had a Teddy Roosevelt Happy Birthday Party one year where everyone came dressed as their favorite historical characters. I think we need to do it again!

  6. Cheryl Shipley says:

    I totally approve. What a darling girl and some great role models for her.

  7. Terry Steinmetz says:

    I love the fact that this is a way to view a life. My grandgirls have great role models in their mom, their aunts, and me to show them who they can be! The youngest one wants to be a fireperson. The older one wants to discover something that will help others to have a better life. How awesome is that?

  8. madeline Langley says:

    Yes! I applaud the mother of this 5 year old!

  9. Deanna Forliti says:

    Thanks Steph. Helen Keller was such an inspiration for All of us. Would love to have birthday cards for all of my girls like this one.

  10. Pamela Polk Lokteff says:

    Just loved the Photos! such a creative idea! i’am so having her take photos of my Grandaughters!

  11. katy says:

    Love these and such a great idea. I also read the quotes to my daughter….told her they were words to live by 🙂

  12. Marilyn says:

    Great idea. Emma is a cutie.
    Marilyn

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *